Electromagnetic generator transformer

ABSTRACT

An electromagnetic generating transformer comprises one or more flux assembly having one or more magnetic field source having a positive pole and a negative pole and a magnetic field passing in a path between the positive pole and the negative pole and a conductor magnetically coupled with the one or more magnetic field source, the magnetic field source and the conductor being fixed relative to one another; a shunt is coupled with a motive source and configured to move the shunt into a primary position and a secondary position, wherein the magnitude of the magnetic field passing between the positive pole and the negative pole varies when the shunt is moved between the primary position and the secondary position.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The entirety of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/653,269, filedon May 30, 2012, is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTIVE CONCEPTS

The inventive concepts disclosed herein generally relate toelectromagnetic generator transformers, and more particularly, but notby way of limitation, to generators of electrical energy having one ormore magnetic field source and an inductive coil (or conductor)magnetically coupled therewith, the magnetic field source and the coilbeing stationary relative to one another. An ancillary process otherthan movement of the inductive coil and the magnetic field sourcerelative to one another is used to vary the magnetic field of themagnetic field source, thus inducing electrical current in the coil.

BACKGROUND

Electromagnetic generators are well known in the prior art. Broadly,prior art electromagnetic generators generate electricity by varying amagnetic field, which induces electrical current in an adjacent coil.The magnetic field source has traditionally been a permanent magnet, butelectromagnets have also been used.

The prior art devices typically use a magnetic field source, which isdisposed adjacent to a coil, such that a small air gap separates thetwo. Several such pairs of magnetic field sources and coils may be usedin a single device to increase efficiency. Most prior art devicesoperate by either moving the magnetic field source relative to the coil,or by moving the coil relative to the magnetic field source to generatemagnetic field fluctuations (also referred to as “magnetic flux” or“flux”), and thereby induce electrical current into the coils. To thatend most prior art devices use a stator and a rotor, the stator housingthe stationary component and the rotor moving the other componentrelative to the stationary one.

Additionally, there are several prior art devices that utilize amagnetic field blocking device to generate a changing flux withinwindings to generate electricity. The magnetic field blocking device istypically a magnetic field impermeable disk which has magnetic fieldpermeable portions cut out in tooth-like or window-like configurations.The disk is disposed in the air gap between the magnetic field sourceand the coil. The flux-blocking disk is rotated in such a way as toalternatively allow axial flux to pass through from the magnetic fieldsource to the coil, or to redirect the axial flux away from the coil.Alternatively, the flux-blocking disk is held stationary, and one of thecoils or magnetic field source are rotated. For examples of such priorart devices see U.S. Pat. No. 3,431,444, U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,430, U.S.Pat. No. 4,639,626, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,140,730.

However, prior art devices suffer from a number of deficiencies, such asheavy and expensive to manufacture rotors, heavy stators, and lowefficiency, among others.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a more efficient generator ofelectrical energy. The inventive concepts disclosed herein are directedto such a generator of electrical energy having fixed magnetic fieldsource and conductor, and using an ancillary process other than movementof the magnetic field source and the conductor relative to one another,to vary the strength or polarity of the flux in the magnetic field ofthe magnetic field source, and thereby induce electrical current in theconductor.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed toan electromagnetic generating transformer, comprising: (1) one or moreflux assembly having one or more magnetic field source having a positivepole and a negative pole and a magnetic field passing in a path betweenthe positive pole and the negative pole; (2) a conductor magneticallycoupled with the one or more magnetic field source, the magnetic fieldsource and the conductor being fixed relative to one another; (3) ashunt; and (4) a motive source coupled with the shunt and configured tomove the shunt into a primary position and a secondary position, whereina strength of the magnetic field passing between the positive pole andthe negative pole varies when the shunt is moved between the primaryposition and the secondary position. The shunt may be magneticallypermeable, and may include one or more magnetic field permeable segmentalternating with one or more magnetic field impermeable segment.

In another aspect, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directedto an electromagnetic generating transformer, comprising: (1) one ormore flux assembly having one or more magnetic field source having apositive pole and a negative pole and a magnetic field passing in a pathbetween the positive pole and the negative pole; (2) a conductormagnetically coupled with the one or more magnetic field source, themagnetic field source and the conductor being fixed relative to oneanother; (3) a shunt at least partially positioned in the path betweenthe positive pole and the negative pole, and having a first magneticpermeability and a second magnetic permeability; and (4) a controlleroperably coupled with the shunt and influencing the shunt's magneticpermeability to switch the magnetic permeability of the shunt from thefirst magnetic permeability to the second magnetic permeability. Theshunt may be stationary or movable relative to the magnetic fieldsource.

In yet another aspect, the inventive concepts disclosed herein aredirected to an electromagnetic generating transformer, comprising: (1)one or more flux assembly having one or more magnetic field sourcehaving a positive pole and a negative pole and a magnetic field passingin a path between the positive pole and the negative pole; (2) aconductor magnetically coupled with the one or more magnetic fieldsource, the magnetic field source and the conductor being fixed relativeto one another; (3) a magnetic control device operably coupled with themagnetic field source; and (4) a controller operably coupled with themagnetic control device and configured to cause the magnetic controldevice to change at least one of a strength and a polarity of themagnetic field of the one or more magnetic field source. The conductorcan be at least partially positioned in the path between the positivepole and the negative pole. The electromagnetic generating transformermay also include a second conductor magnetically coupled with the one ormore magnetic field source. The one or more magnetic field source mayinclude a magnetostrictive material, and the magnetic control device maybe configured to apply mechanical force to the one or more magneticfield source. The one or more magnetic field source may include asuperconductor material, and the magnetic control device may beconfigured to apply thermal energy to the one or more magnetic fieldsource. The thermal energy may include an optical signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Like reference numerals in the figures represent and refer to the sameelement or function. Implementations of the disclosure may be betterunderstood when consideration is given to the following detaileddescription thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexedpictorial illustrations, schematics, graphs, drawings, and appendices.In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of agenerator of electrical energy according to the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a base plate according to the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the base plate of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flux assembly according to theinventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a flux base according to the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the flux base of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the flux base of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the flux base of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross sectional view of a drum assembly according tothe inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a shaft support assembly according to theinventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the shaft support assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a shaft support tube according to theinventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view along line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view along line 14-14 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is an end view of a gusset according to the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view along line 16-16 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the gusset of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a drum according to the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view diagram of a generator according to theinventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 20 is another perspective view diagram of the generator of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an electromagneticgenerating transformer according to the inventive concepts disclosedherein.

FIG. 22 is a diagram of another exemplary embodiment of anelectromagnetic generating transformer according to the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 23 is a diagram of yet another exemplary embodiment of anelectromagnetic generating transformer according to the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein in detail, it is to be understood that the inventiveconcepts are not limited in their application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of the components or steps ormethodologies set forth in the following description or illustrated inthe drawings. The inventive concepts disclosed herein are capable ofother embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein is for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

In the following detailed description of embodiments of the instantdisclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea more thorough understanding of the inventive concepts disclosedherein. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the artthat the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be practiced withoutthese specific details. In other instances, well-known features have notbeen described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instantdisclosure.

As used herein the notation “a-n” appended to a reference numeral isintended as merely convenient shorthand to reference one, or more thanone, and up to infinity, of the element or feature identified by therespective reference numeral (e.g., 100 a-n). Similarly, a letterfollowing a reference numeral is intended to reference an embodiment ofthe feature or element that may be similar, but not necessarilyidentical, to a previously described element or feature bearing the samereference numeral (e.g., 100, 100 a, 100 b, etc.). Such shorthandnotations are used for purposes of clarity and convenience only, andshould not be construed to limit the inventive concepts disclosed hereinin any way, unless expressly stated to the contrary.

Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to aninclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or Bis satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B isfalse (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (orpresent), and both A and B are true (or present).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the inventive concepts. Thisdescription should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

As used herein the terms “axial,” “axially,” and any variations thereof,are intended to include extending substantially parallel to, or alongthe same general line or direction as, an axis of rotation. Further, asused herein the terms “radial,” “radially,” and any variations thereofare intended to include extending substantially along a radius, or aline substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation or to a center.

As used herein the terms “air gap,” “gap,” and any variations thereofshall be understood to include a distance separating two or more objectsor surfaces, regardless of whether a gas or fluid is present or absentbetween the objects or surfaces, unless expressly stated to thecontrary.

As used herein the qualifiers “about” and “substantially” are intendedto include not only the exact amount, orientation, amount, value, ordegree qualified, but are intended to include some small variations dueto measurement error, manufacturing tolerances, stresses exerted on thecomponent or structure, and combinations thereof, for example.

Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

The inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a generator ofelectrical energy. Broadly, a generator according to exemplaryembodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein may comprise anassembly, one or more flux assembly, and a source of motive force. Theassembly has one or more magnetic field permeable segment alternatingwith one or more magnetic field impermeable segment, the assembly beingguided and movable through a predetermined travel path. The one or moreflux assembly has one or more magnetic field source having a magneticfield extending at least partially into the predetermined travel path,and a coil magnetically coupled with the one or more magnetic fieldsource. The motive source is connected to the assembly for moving theassembly through the predetermined travel path whereby the movement ofthe one or more magnetic field permeable segment and the one or moremagnetic field impermeable segment of the assembly through thepredetermined travel path changes the magnetic coupling between the coiland the one or more magnetic field source inducing electrical current inthe coil. The terms “magnetic permeable”, “magnetic field permeable”,“magnetic impermeable”, “magnetic field impermeable” and the like areintended to refer to a difference in the amount of magnetic permeabilitybetween the materials forming the “permeable” and “impermeable”segments.

In an alternative embodiment, the one or more flux assembly is movablethrough a predetermined travel path, rather than or in addition to theassembly. In this embodiment, the one or more flux assembly is guidedand movable such that the flux assembly and the magnetic field travelthrough the predetermined travel path. The assembly having the one ormore magnetic field permeable segment alternating with one or moremagnetic field impermeable segment is positioned such that the magneticfield traveling through the predetermined travel path at least partiallyintersects the one or more magnetic field permeable segment and the oneor more magnetic field impermeable segment. The motive source isconnected to the one or more flux assembly for moving the one or moreflux assembly and the magnetic field through the predetermined travelpath.

In the examples described herein, the assembly having the one or moremagnetic field permeable segment alternating with one or more magneticfield impermeable segment is referred to as a “drum assembly.” However,it should be understood that the assembly can have shapes other than adrum shape. For example, the assembly could be a linear shaped assembly,an elliptical shaped assembly, a square or box shaped assembly, atriangular shaped assembly, or a flexible assembly that can be shaped byguides such that the flexible assembly can be guided through apredetermined path having any suitable shape. For example, the flexibleassembly can be in the form of a conveyor belt having alternatingsections magnetic field permeable segments and magnetic fieldimpermeable segments.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, an exemplaryembodiment of a generator 100 according to the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein is shown as having a base plate 102, one or more fluxassembly 104 attached to the base plate 102, and a drum assembly 106supported by the base plate 102 and rotatable around and/or adjacent tothe one or more flux assembly 104. The one or more flux assembly 104 canbe inside and/or outside the drum assembly 106. The one or more fluxassembly 104 and the drum assembly 106 may be attached to, or mountedonto, the base plate 102 via base bolts 108, although other mountingmethods can be used such as welds, screws, joints, adhesives, brackets,shims, gussets, and combinations thereof, for example. One or moremagnetic-field permeable or magnetic field impermeable components (notshown) may be positioned between, or used to connect the one or moreflux assembly 104 and the base plate 102, such as a spacer, an insert, ashim, an adjustable mounting bracket 105, a washer, a clamp, andcombinations thereof, for example.

In some embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein, thegenerator 100 may also have an optional protective housing (not shown)adapted to protect the components of the generator 100 from water, dust,debris, tampering, and other environmental factors, for example. Theprotective housing (not shown) may be implemented as any conventionalgenerator housing and may be constructed of plastics, metals, alloys,non-metals, and other suitable materials and combinations thereof, forexample. The implementation of the protective housing may be varieddepending on the material used and/or the operational and environmentalvariables expected to be encountered by the generator 100, for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, the base plate 102 may define asubstantially horizontal disk-shaped flat surface 110 having a center112. It is to be understood that in some exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts disclosed herein the surface 110 may have any desiredshape, curvature, and dimensions as will be understood by persons orordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure.

The surface 110 may have a central opening 114 positioned coaxially withthe center 112, and one or more apertures 116 positioned at a firstdistance from the center 112. The central opening 114 may be adapted toreceive a shaft of the drum assembly 106 therethrough as will bedescribed below. The surface 110 of the base plate 102 can be about 24inches in diameter, but it is to be understood that the dimensions ofthe base plate 102 can be varied depending on the material used for themanufacture of the base plate 102 and/or the operational andenvironmental variables expected to be encountered by the generator 100.

The one or more apertures 116 may be arranged along the surface 110 insuch a way as to define one or more concentric rings 118, and may bealigned as to form one or more radial lines 120 separated by about 60degrees, or by about 72 degrees along the surface 110, for example. Insome exemplary embodiments the one or more apertures 116 can be adaptedto receive one or more base bolts 108, in order to affix the drumassembly 106 and/or the one or more flux assembly 104 to the base plate102 as will be described below. It is to be understood that the shape,size, organization, arrangement, and number of the one or more apertures116 can vary.

The base plate 102 can be constructed of a thermoset plastic laminatematerial such as a material of the type sold under the name GaroliteG-10, but acrylic plastics such as Plexiglas™, or any other material ofsuitable strength and durability can be used. The base plate 102 may beconstructed of non-conductive and/or non-ferrous materials to limit thepotential of eddy currents being induced within the generator 100.

The base plate 102 can function to structurally support the variouscomponents of the generator 100. The base plate 102 can define a part ofan external housing (not shown) protecting the generator 100 fromenvironmental variables. Alternatively, the generator 100 can becompletely or partially enclosed by a separate protective housing (notshown), for example. It should be understood that the base plate 102 canhave any size or shape, as long as it allows for the placement andstructural support of the one or more flux assembly 104 such as adjacentto a concentric coaxial orientation of the drum assembly 106.

For the purposes of clarity, the base plate 102 may be arbitrarilyreferenced hereinafter as oriented horizontally, and the orientations ofthe one or more flux assembly 104 and the drum assembly 106 may bediscussed relative to a horizontally oriented base plate 102. It is tobe understood however, that such orientation designations refer only tothe orientation of the various components of the generator 100 onerelative to another, and do not necessarily relate to any externalobject, position, direction, or orientation. Such designations areutilized for purposes of clarity and convenience only, and are not to beregarded as limiting the inventive concepts disclosed herein in any way.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the one or more flux assembly 104 comprises aflux base 122, a first magnetic field source 124 a and a second magneticfield source 124 b magnetically coupled with a coil 126 such that aunitary magnetic field source 124 is formed by the flux base 122, thefirst magnetic field source 124 a, the second magnetic field source 124b, and the coil 126. The unitary magnetic field source 124 may functionas a permanent magnet in some exemplary embodiments of the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-9, the flux base 122 is shown as beingsubstantially U-shaped and having a bottom arm 128, a top arm 130, and aconnecting portion 132. The bottom arm 128, the top arm 130, and theconnecting portion 132 may be magnetically coupled or connected with oneanother.

The bottom arm 128 may have one or more base apertures 134 adapted toalign with the one or more apertures 116 and to threadingly receive oneor more base bolts 108 therein, in order to mount the flux base 122 ontothe base plate 102. The bottom arm 128 of the flux base 122 may have asubstantially flat rectangular surface to ensure that the flux base 122fits flush with the surface 110 of the base plate 102, such that theflux base 122 is extending substantially vertically from the surface 110of the base plate 102 although other configurations can be used. It isto be understood that the flux base 122 can be attached to the surface110 by any suitable means known in the art, such as screws, rivets,welds, adhesives, adjustable mounting brackets, supports, andcombinations thereof, for example. In some exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts disclosed herein, an optional adjustable mountingbracket 105 (FIG. 1) may be implemented to attach the one or more fluxassembly 104 to the base plate 102, such that the position of the one ormore flux assembly 104 may be adjusted relative to the base plate 102,to increase, decrease, or otherwise adjust the position of the one ormore flux assembly 104 relative to the drum assembly 106. The adjustablemounting bracket 105 (FIG. 1) may be adjusted by inserting lockdownbolts through adjustment slots which allow the adjustable mountingbracket to slide when the lockdown bolts are loosened, and secure theadjustable mounting bracket 105 in any desired position when thelockdown bolts are tightened, for example. An adjustment rod (not shown)that biases the flux base 122 against a spring (not shown), for example,may be implemented to move the flux base 122 in any desired positionprior to tightening the lockdown bolts. In other embodiments of theinventive concepts disclosed herein, the adjustable mounting bracket 105(FIG. 1) may be incrementally adjustable, such as by securing theadjustable mounting bracket 105 in one or more adjacent apertures 116,for example. It is to be understood that in some exemplary embodiments,the one or more flux assembly 104 may be adjustable relative to the baseplate 102 via the adjustable mounting bracket 105, and in some exemplaryembodiments the flux base 122 may be adjustable relative to the one ormore flux assembly 104 via the adjustable mounting bracket, while theone or more flux assembly 104 is maintained substantially stationaryrelative to the base plate 102, and combinations thereof. Theadjustability provided by the adjustable mounting bracket 105 may beused to adjust the size of the air gap 136 separating the one or moreflux assembly 104 and the drum assembly 106 as will be described below,for example.

Alternatively, the flux base 122 and the base plate 102 maybe formed asa single piece, or another element (not shown) may be used to connectthe flux base 122 to the base plate 102.

In other exemplary embodiments, the flux base 122 may be implemented asa unitary U-shaped magnetic field source 124, and the bottom arm 128,the top arm 130, and the connecting portion 132 may likewise beincorporated into the unitary U-shaped unitary magnetic field source124.

The flux base 122 is desirably made from a magnetically conductivematerial, such as laminated steel, to form a unitary magnetic fieldsource having a common magnetic core shared by the first magnetic fieldsource 124 a, the second magnetic field source 124 b, and the coil 126as will be described herein below, for example. In some exemplaryembodiments the first magnetic field source 124 a or the second magneticfield source 124 b may be omitted.

The flux base 122 is shown as being substantially U-shaped and may beabout 1 inch thick, but it is to be understood that the dimensions ofthe flux base 122 can be varied depending on the material used for itsmanufacture and/or the operational and environmental variables expectedto be encountered by the generator 100, for example.

The coil 126 may be wound, or mounted, about one or more of the bottomarm 128, top arm 130, and connecting portion 132 of the flux base 122and can be implemented as any conventional coil 126 into which anelectrical current may be induced by a magnetic field. The coil 126 canhave any type or number of windings, cores, and/or poles, as long as thecoil 126 is capable of receiving a magnetic flux from the first magneticfield source 124 a and the second magnetic field source 124 b, such thatone or more electrons in the coil 126 may be forced to flow through anelectrical circuit (not shown) which may be external to the coil 126,for example.

The first magnetic field source 124 a may be magnetically coupled to thebottom arm 128 and the second magnetic field source 124 b may bemagnetically coupled to the top arm 130, for example. The first magneticfield source 124 a and the second magnetic field source 124 b may bemagnetically coupled with the bottom arm 128 and the top arm 130 in anysuitable manner, such as bolts, screws, joints, welds, brackets, clamps,adhesives, seems, press-fitting, molding, soldering, and combinationsthereof, for example. Further, one or more magnetic-field permeablecomponents such as brackets, mounts, spacers, shunts, coils, shims,gussets, washers, and combinations thereof, may be used to magneticallycouple the first magnetic field source 124 a to the bottom arm 128and/or the second magnetic field source 124 b to the top arm 130, forexample.

The first magnetic field source 124 a may behave as a North or Southpole, and the second magnetic field source 124 b may behave as theopposite respective South or North pole of the flux base 122, forexample, of a unitary magnetic field source 124.

The first magnetic field source 124 a and the second magnetic fieldsource 124 b can be oriented such that the first magnetic field source124 a and the second magnetic field source 124 b are aligned along aline perpendicular to the surface 110 and radially offset from thecenter 112, for example. The first magnetic field source 124 a and thesecond magnetic field source 124 b may be oriented relative to thesurface 110 as follows: the first magnetic field source 124 a may behaveas the North pole of the unitary magnetic field source 124 and berelatively closer to the surface 110 and the second magnetic fieldsource 124 b may behave as the South pole of the unitary magnetic fieldsource 124 and be relatively further to the surface 110, resulting in aN-S arrangement of the poles of the unitary magnetic field source 124 ina direction vertically away from the surface 110, for example.Alternatively, the first magnetic field source 124 a may behave as theSouth pole of the unitary magnetic field source 124 and the secondmagnetic field source 124 b may behave as the North pole of the unitarymagnetic field source 124, resulting in a S-N arrangement of the polesof the unitary magnetic field source 124 in a direction vertically awayfrom the surface 110, for example. As would be understood by one skilledin the art, flux lines leave the South pole, e.g., the first magneticfield source 124 a and travel through the magnetic field source 124 tothe second magnetic field source 124 b where the flux lines travelthrough the air gap to the South pole, e.g., the first magnetic fieldsource 124 a to complete a magnetic circuit.

The first magnetic field source 124 a and the second magnetic fieldsource 124 b may be implemented as any permanent magnets orelectromagnets, and can be made of any suitable material, such asisotropic or anisotropic, and combinations thereof, for example. Thefirst magnetic field source 124 a and the second magnetic field source124 b can be of any strength, and can have varying sizes and shapesdepending on the size and output requirements of the generator 100. Thefirst magnetic field source 124 a and the second magnetic field source124 b can be arranged in any configuration consistent with defining atleast a part of an air gap 136 (FIG. 1) between the one or more fluxassembly 104 and the drum assembly 106, and may be in magneticcommunication with the coil 126 via the flux base 122, for example. Anexposed surface 138 a of the first magnetic field source 124 a and anexposed surface 138 b of the second magnetic field source 124 b may havea slight curvature such that the size of the air gap 136 may beminimized, for example. A magnetic field desirably extends between theexposed surface 138 b and the exposed surface 138 b, such that at leasta portion of the drum 146 is positioned into the magnetic fieldextending between the exposed surface 138 a and the exposed surface 138b of the unitary magnetic field source 124 as will be described below.

Alternatively, the one or more flux assembly 104 may include more thantwo magnetic field sources 124 a-n, or may have a unitary magnetic fieldsource 124 which forms the magnetic core of the coil 126, for example.

In some exemplary embodiments, the generator 100 may comprise five fluxassemblies 104 mounted onto the base plate 102 such that the five fluxassemblies 104 are symmetrically disposed about the disk-shaped surface110 defined by the base plate 102. The distance between any two of thefive flux assemblies 104 may be substantially equal to the distancebetween any other two flux assemblies 104, for example, resulting in thefive flux assemblies 104 being separated by about 63.3° along thedisk-shaped surface 110 of the base plate 102 and extending radiallyfrom the center 112 thereof. It is to be understood that the distancebetween any two of the five flux assemblies 104 may be different fromthe distance between any other two flux assemblies 104, resulting in thefive flux assemblies being un-symmetrically disposed about the diskshaped surface 110, for example. In other exemplary embodiments, thegenerator 100 may comprise six flux assemblies 104 mounted onto the baseplate 102 such that the flux assemblies 104 are symmetrically disposedabout the disk-shaped surface 110 defined by the base plate 102. Thedistance between any two of the six flux assemblies 104 may besubstantially equal to the distance between any other two fluxassemblies 104, for example, resulting in the six flux assemblies 104being separated by about 60° along the disk-shaped surface 110 of thebase plate 102 and extending radially from the center 112 thereof. It isto be understood, however, that a different number of flux assemblies104 can be used with the inventive concepts disclosed herein withoutdeparting from the scope of the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

As will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art havingthe benefit of the instant disclosure, any number of flux assemblies 104may be implemented with the inventive concepts disclosed herein, andsuch flux assemblies 104 may be oriented in any direction along thedisk-shaped surface 110, and may be arranged symmetrically orun-symmetrically about the disk-shaped surface 110, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the drum assembly 106 may extend substantiallyvertically from the base plate 102. The drum assembly 106 may have amotive source 139, which is shown and described herein as including ashaft 140, a shaft housing 142, a hub 144, and a drum 146. The motivesource 139 can be implemented in other manners as well.

The shaft 140 may have a central axis 148, and may extend substantiallyperpendicularly to the base plate 102 and through the center 112 of thebase plate 102. An end 150 of the shaft or motive source 139 may extendpartially below the surface 110 of the base plate 102 and an end 152 ofthe shaft 140 may extend partially above the surface 110 of the baseplate 102 and may be connected to the hub 144, for example. It is to beunderstood, however, that in some exemplary embodiments of the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein, the end 150 of the shaft 140 may not extendbelow the surface 110 of the base plate 102.

The shaft 140 may be attached to the base plate 102 in any conventionalmanner, such as by being retained by a shaft collar 154, for example.The shaft 140 can be substantially cylindrical in shape and can be madefrom any suitable material having sufficient strength and durability,and desirably non-conductive and/or non-ferrous materials to limit thepotential of eddy currents being induced within the generator 100 can beused. The end 152 of the shaft 140 may connect to the hub 144 using anysuitable arrangement, such as welds, joints, brackets, gussets, bolts,clamps, and combinations thereof, for example. Alternatively, the shaft140 and the hub 144 may be formed as a unitary body, for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-14, the shaft 140 can be housed inside a shafthousing 156, which may be mounted onto the base plate 102. The shafthousing 156 may comprise a bearing tube 158, shaft bearings 160, one ormore gusset 162, one or more long gusset bolts 164, and one or moreshort gusset bolts 166. The shaft housing 156 is desirably mounted ontothe base plate 102 via base bolts 108, such that the shaft housing 156is substantially centered over the central aperture 114 of the baseplate 102, and the shaft 140 extends through the central aperture 114 ofthe base plate 102. The bearing tube 158 can be substantiallycylindrical in shape, and may have a first row of apertures 168 and asecond vertically offset set of apertures 170 cut or otherwise formedtherethrough, for example. The apertures 168 and 170 may have threadsformed into them and may be adapted to receive long gusset bolts 164 andshort gusset bolts 166 therein respectively. The apertures 168 and 170can be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thebearing tube 158.

The bearing tube 158 may also have two or more annular recesses 172formed in the bottom and top end thereof. The two or more annularrecesses 172 can be adapted to receive and retain annular shaft bearings160 therein. The shaft bearings 160 can cooperate with the bearing tube158 to rotatably secure and house the shaft 140, and may function toguide and ensure smooth rotation of the shaft 140 about its central axis148. The apertures 170 can be diametrically opposed along thecylindrical surface of the bearing tube 158. The bearing tube 158 may beconstructed of a thermoset plastic laminate material such as a materialof the type sold under the name Garolite G-10, but acrylic plastics suchas Plexiglas™, epoxy resins, or any material of suitable strength anddurability, and desirably non-conductive and/or non-ferrous materials tolimit the potential of eddy currents being induced within the generator100 may also be used in some exemplary embodiments of the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 15-17, an exemplary embodiment of the gusset 162can have a bottom surface 174 and a bearing tube surface 176substantially perpendicular to the surface 110. The bottom surface 174may have one or more apertures 178 formed therein. The one or moreapertures 178 may have threads formed therein, and may be adapted toreceive base bolts 134 in order to mount the gusset 162 onto the baseplate 102, for example. The bearing tube surface 176 can have two ormore apertures 180 and 182 cut or otherwise formed therein. Theapertures 180 and 182 can be adapted to receive one or more long gussetbolts 164 and one or more short gusset bolts 166 respectivelytherethrough in order to secure the bearing tube 158 to the gusset 162.Several gussets 162 can be secured to the bearing tube 158 in order forthe bearing tube surfaces 176 of the gussets 162 to support the bearingtube 158 in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to thebase plate 102.

The number of gussets 162 mounted to the bearing tube 158 can be as lowas one, and can be any odd or even number depending on the sizes of thebearing tube 158 and gussets 162. When an even number of gussets 162 isused, the gussets 162 may be mounted on the bearing tube 158 indiametrically opposed locations, for example. When an odd number ofgussets 162 is used, the gussets 162 may be disposed at regularintervals along the cylindrical surface of bearing tube 158, such thatthe distances between any two gussets 162 is substantially the same asthe distance between any other two gussets 162, for example.Alternatively, the one or more gusset 162 can be omitted and the bearingtube 158 can be secured to the base plate 102 by any conventional meanssuch as welds, brackets, shims, welds, supports, and combinationsthereof, for example. The bearing tube 158 may be welded to the baseplate 102 for example. Alternatively, the bearing tube 158 and the baseplate 102 may be formed as a unitary body in some exemplary embodimentsof the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

The one or more gusset 162 may be constructed of a thermoset plasticlaminate material such as the type of material sold under the nameGarolite G-10, but acrylic plastics such as Plexiglas™, epoxy resin, orany material of suitable strength and durability, and desirablynon-conductive and/or non-ferrous materials to limit the potential ofeddy currents being induced within the generator 100 can be used.

Referring now to FIG. 18, the hub 144 may be a substantially cylindricalhub 144, or may include one, two, or more spokes (not shown) connectingthe shaft 140 and the drum 146. The hub 144 may be substantiallyparallel to the surface 110 of the base plate 102. The hub 144 connectsto the shaft 140. The hub 144 can be made from any suitable materialwith the desired strength and durability, and desirably non-conductiveand/or non-ferrous materials to limit the potential of eddy currentsbeing induced within the generator 100.

The drum 146 may have a substantially cylindrical sidewall 184. The drum146 may be connected to the hub 144. The drum 146 may be supported bythe shaft 140 above the base plate 102 such that the sidewall 184 of thedrum 146 is substantially perpendicular to the base plate 102 andadapted to rotate around the center 112 of the base plate 102 when theshaft 140 is rotated about the central axis 148. The drum 146 is sizedsuch that the sidewall 184 is separated from the exposed surfaces 138a-b of the one or more magnetic field sources 124 a-b by the air gap136. The air gap 136 may be adjusted, such as by slidably adjusting theposition of the one or more flux assembly 104 relative to the sidewall184 via the adjustable mounting bracket 105 (FIG. 1), or via anyconventional adjusting mechanism, including but not limited to anadjustment track, for example. It is to be understood that theadjustable mounting bracket 105 (FIG. 1) may allow for adjusting theposition of the one or more flux assembly 104 relative to the base plate102 and/or may maintain the position of the one or more flux assembly104 substantially stationary relative to the base plate 102 and adjustthe position of the magnetic field sources 124 a and 124 b of the one ormore flux assembly 104 relative to the base plate 102 and the sidewall184, for example. In other embodiments of the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein, the position of the one or more flux assembly 104 maybe maintained substantially stationary relative to the base plate 102,and the position of the drum assembly 106 or the sidewall 184 may beadjustable, such that the air gap 136 separating the sidewall 184 andthe one or more magnetic field sources 124 a-b may be adjusted asdesired, for example. The adjustable mounting bracket 105 may allowthree-dimensional adjustability, such that the position of the flux base122 may be adjusted relative to the sidewall 184 in three-dimensions,for example, such as adjusting the size of the air gap 136, adjustingthe elevation of the flux base 122 relative to the base plate 102,adjusting the tilt, yaw, lean, angle, and orientation of the flux base122 relative to the base plate 102, and any desired combination thereof.

The sidewall 184 may have one or more magnetic field permeable segments186 alternating with one or more magnetic field impermeable segments188. The alternating one or more magnetic field permeable segments 186and one or more magnetic field impermeable segments 188 may beimplemented by embedding, incorporating, or otherwise attaching one ormore segments or strips of magnetic field permeable material into thesidewall 184, such that the one or more segments or strips of magneticfield permeable material are oriented substantially perpendicularly tothe surface 110 of the base plate 102. The alternating one or moremagnetic field permeable segments 186 and one or more magnetic fieldimpermeable segments 188 may be imbedded into the sidewall 184 in aneffort to maximize the magnetic conductance across the air gap 136. Ineffect, movement of the alternating one or more magnetic field permeablesegments 186 and one or more magnetic field impermeable segments 188relative to the one or more flux assembly 104 alternatively closes andenlarges the air gap 136 to create flux differentials which inducescurrent in the coil 126. The one or more segments of strips of magneticfield permeable material may be constructed as a laminated steel insert,for example, and may have a width substantially equal to the width ofthe exposed surfaces 138 a and 138 b of the first magnetic field source124 a and the second magnetic field source 124 b. It is to be understoodthat in some exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosedherein, the one or more segments or strips of magnetic field permeablematerial may have a width that is greater than, or lesser than the widthof the exposed surfaces 138 a and 138 b. In some exemplary embodiments afirst magnetic field permeable segment 186 may have a first width andlength and a second magnetic field permeable segment 186 may have asecond width and length. The first width may be substantially equal to,or different from the second width, and the second length may besubstantially equal to, or different from the second length, forexample.

The one or more magnetic field permeable segments 186 are separated byone or more magnetic field impermeable segments 188 which may beconstructed of any suitable magnetic field impermeable material, such asplastics or Garolite G-10, for example. The one or more magnetic fieldimpermeable segments 188 may have a width that is substantially equalto, or different from the width of the one or more magnetic fieldpermeable segments 186 as will be appreciated by persons of ordinaryskill in the art. In some exemplary embodiments a first magnetic fieldimpermeable segment 188 may have a first width and length and a secondmagnetic field impermeable segment 188 may have a second width andlength. The first width may be substantially equal to, or different fromthe second width, and the second length may be substantially equal to,or different from the second length, for example.

The number, size, length, width, and orientation of the one or moremagnetic permeable segments 186 and the one or more magnetic impermeablesegments 188 may be varied depending on the operational variables of thegenerator 100. For example, in an embodiment utilizing six fluxassemblies 104, eighteen alternating magnetic permeable segments 186 andeighteen magnetic impermeable segments 188 may be implemented. Further,the number and size of the one or more magnetic permeable segments 186and the one or more magnetic impermeable segments 188 may be coordinatedwith the number and arrangement of the one or more flux assemblies 104,such that cogging or start up torque exerted onto the drum 146 by thefirst magnetic field source 124 a and the second magnetic field source124 b is minimized or balanced, such that it substantially cancels outacross the drum 146, for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 19-20, in operation, a generator 100 according tothe inventive concepts disclosed herein may generate electricity asfollows: the shaft 140 may be connected to any suitable source ofmechanical energy such as a propeller driven by wind, or a turbinedriven by steam, for example. In any event, mechanical energy may beprovided to rotate the shaft 140, which in turn rotates the cylindricalsidewall 184 of the drum 146 and causes the one or more magneticpermeable segments 186 and the one or more magnetic impermeable segments188 to move through a predetermined travel path, which in this examplemay be a circularly shaped travel path. The alternating one or moremagnetic field permeable segments 186 and one or more magnetic fieldimpermeable segments 188 of the sidewall 184 may be alternativelydisposed adjacent to the exposed surface 138 a of the first magneticfield source 124 a and the exposed surface 138 b of the second magneticfield source 124 b, such that the sidewall 184 is separated from thefirst and second magnetic field sources 124 a-b by the air gap 136. Theone or more magnetic field permeable segments 186 shunt the magneticfield which allows a relatively stronger magnetic field to reach thefirst magnetic field source 124 a and/or the second magnetic fieldsource 124 b, and the one or more magnetic field impermeable segments188 do not shunt the magnetic field, such that a relatively weakermagnetic field reaches the first magnetic field source 124 a and/or thesecond magnetic field source 124 b. The magnetic field source 124 maycreate a continual flux, however, the movement of the one or moremagnetic field permeable segments 186 and the one or more magnetic fieldimpermeable segments 188 across the first magnetic field source 124 aand/or the second magnetic field source 124 b creates a differentialflux within the coil 126, which induces electrical current into the coil126. The electrical current can then be allowed to flow through anexternal circuit, and may have its output optimized for its intended useby devices such as rectifiers, inverters, and transformers, for usablevoltage and frequency as desired.

The mechanical energy used to rotate the shaft 140 of the generator 100can be supplied from any suitable source of mechanical energy such as,but expressly not limited to: a wind turbine, a water turbine, a steamturbine, an internal combustion engine, a steam engine, a coal turbine,or a water wheel, for example. The operative connection between theshaft 140 of the generator 100 and the source of mechanical energy maybe a direct mechanical connection, or alternatively a gearbox, a speedcontrol assembly, or a brake assembly may be used to connect the sourceof mechanical energy to the shaft 140.

It is to be understood that in some exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts disclosed herein, a source of mechanical energy maynot be connected to the shaft 140, but may be connected to the hub 144instead, such that rotational motion may be imparted to the drum 146 viathe hub 148 as will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in theart having the benefit of the instant disclosure. In this instance, thehub 144 is the motive source 139. As will be understood by persons ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure,any desired mechanism or means may be implemented as the motive source139, provided that such motive source 139 is capable of moving themagnetic field permeable segments 186 and the magnetic field impermeablesegments 188 across the magnetic field of first magnetic field source124 a and/or the second magnetic field source 124 b according to theinventive concepts disclosed herein.

It should also be understood that, because of the nature of the designand the ability to reconfigure embodiments of the generator 100according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein such that the drum146 has multiple alternating segments 186 and 188 and multiple fluxassemblies 104, the generator 100 may be adapted for, but not limitedto, low rpm environments, such as wind or water driven turbines, as morethan one magnetic field change can be induced in a single rotation ofthe drum 146. Further, a generator 100 according to the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein may be implemented in high rpm environments,in medium rpm environments, or in varying rpm environments, andcombinations thereof, for example.

It is to be understood that the dimensions given and described hereinmay not be suitable for a commercial embodiment of a generator 100according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein. A commercialembodiment of a generator 100 built using the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein may be much larger in dimensions, and may likelyinclude a large number of flux assemblies 104.

It is to be further understood that while permanent magnets have beendescribed as the magnetic field source, electromagnets, combinations ofpermanent magnets and electromagnets, or any other suitable magneticfield source may also be used with the inventive concepts disclosedherein without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 21, shown therein is an exemplary embodiment of anelectromagnetic generating transformer 190 according to the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein. The electromagnetic generating transformer190 includes one or more flux assembly 192, a conductor 194, a shunt196, and a motive source 198.

The one or more flux assembly 192 has one or more magnetic field source200 having a magnetic field and at least one positive pole 202 and atleast one negative pole 204 and a magnetic field passing in a path 206between the positive pole 202 and the negative pole 204.

It is to be understood that while the magnetic field source 200 is shownas a horseshoe magnet, the magnetic field source may be have any desiredshape, including but not limited to bar, horseshoe, ring, rod,rectangle, irregular, or combinations thereof. The magnetic field source200 may be a permanent-magnet type magnetic field source 200, or anelectromagnetic-type magnetic field source 200. In some exemplaryembodiments, the magnetic field source 200 may have multiple positivepoles 202 and/or multiple negative poles 204. Further, the magneticfield of the magnetic field source 200 may have any desired strength.

The path 206 may have any desired shape and size and may be guided bythe magnetic field source 200, provided that the shunt 196 may be atleast partially or substantially completely positioned in the path 206by the motive source 198 as will be described below.

The conductor 194 is magnetically coupled with the one or more magneticfield source 200, the magnetic field source 200 and the conductor 194being fixed or substantially fixed relative to one another (e.g., theconductor 194 and the magnetic field source 200 do not move relative toone another, although the conductor 194 and the magnetic field source200 may move relative to another object). The conductor 194 may beimplemented as any desired inductive conductor into which a current maybe induced by a magnetic field, such as wires, metals, soft magneticmaterials, coils, windings, magnetic alloys, magnetic metals, orcombinations thereof, for example. While the conductor 194 is shown asbeing positioned about a portion of the magnetic field source 200, insome exemplary embodiments the conductor 194 may be separated a distancefrom the magnetic field source 200 provided that the conductor 194 ismagnetically coupled with the magnetic field source 200 (e.g., at leasta portion of the conductor 194 is positioned in the magnetic field ofthe magnetic field source 200). For example, in some embodiments theconductor 194 may be at least partially or substantially completelypositioned in the path 206, as will be appreciated by persons ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure.

The shunt 196 can be implemented as any material, object, member, orbody, which may be moved between the primary position P1 and thesecondary position P2, and which has a magnetic permeability higher thanthe magnetic permeability of air or empty space, such that the strengthof the magnetic field passing between the positive pole 202 and thenegative pole 204 varies when the shunt 196 is moved between the primaryposition P1 and the secondary position P2 and/or into the path 206, forexample.

The shunt 196 may have any desired dimensions and shape, provided thatthe shunt 196 is at least partially or substantially completelypositionable in the path 206 by the motive source 198, for example. Theshunt 196 may be at least partially or substantially completelypositionable in the path 206 in the primary position P1 and/or in thesecondary position P2. For example, in some embodiments, the shunt 196may be partially positioned in the path 206 when the shunt 196 is in theprimary position P1, and may be substantially completely positioned inthe path 206 when the shunt 196 is in the secondary position P2, or viceversa. As another example, the shunt 196 may be at least partiallypositioned in the path 206 to a first degree when the shunt 196 is inthe primary position P1, and may be at least partially positioned in thepath 206 to a second degree when the shunt 196 is in the secondaryposition P2, with the first degree and the second degree being differentfrom one another, such that the strength of the magnetic field passingbetween the positive pole 202 and the negative pole 204 varies when theshunt 196 is moved between the primary position P1 and the secondaryposition P2. In some exemplary embodiments, more than one shunt 196 maybe implemented, such as two shunts 196 (e.g., moved by the same motivesource 198, or by two or more motive sources 198), more than two shunts196, or a plurality of shunts 196.

The motive source 198 is operably coupled with the shunt 196 andconfigured to move the shunt 196 between the primary position P1 and thesecondary position P2, such that the magnitude of the magnetic fieldpassing between the positive pole 202 and the negative pole 204 varieswhen the shunt 196 is moved between the primary position P1 and thesecondary position P2.

The motive source 198 may be implemented as any desired device orapparatus configured to move the shunt 196 between the primary positionP1 and the secondary position P2 in any manner and at any speed and/orfrequency, such as by sliding, rotating, reciprocating, pivoting,oscillating, or otherwise moving the shunt 196 between the primaryposition P1 and the secondary position P2, and combinations thereof.

In some exemplary embodiments, the motive source 198 may be operablycoupled with the shunt 196 mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically,electromagnetically, electrically, fluidly, or in any other desiredfashion, so as to move the shunt 196 between the primary position P1 andthe secondary position P2. In some exemplary embodiment, the shunt 196may be brought into contact with the magnetic field source 200 when theshunt 196 is moved in the primary position P1 or in the secondaryposition P2 by the motive source 198, so that the shunt 196 comes intocontact with the positive pole 202 and/or the negative pole 204 of themagnetic field source 200. In some exemplary embodiments, the motivesource 198 and the shunt 196 may be formed as a unitary component.Further, in some embodiments, two or more motive sources 198 may beimplemented to move a single shunt 196, or two or more shunts 196, forexample.

The electromagnetic generating transformer 190 may operate byactivating, actuating, or otherwise using the motive source 198 to movethe shunt 196 between the primary position P1 and the secondary positionP2, so that the strength of the magnetic field passing through the path206 and/or between the positive pole 202 and the negative pole 204varies when the shunt 196 is moved between the primary position P1 andthe secondary position P2. The frequency of the movement of the shunt196 between the primary position P1 and the secondary position P2 may beany desired frequency, and the speed of the movement may be any desiredspeed. The varying magnetic field caused by the movement of the shunt196 between the primary position P1 and the secondary position P2induces an electrical current in the conductor 194, which electriccurrent may be allowed to flow through an external circuit. The electriccurrent may be filtered, amplified, conditioned, transformed to director alternating current, or otherwise processed as will be appreciated bypersons of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instantdisclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, the conductor 194 may beelectrically coupled with the motive source 198 such that current fromthe conductor 194 may be used to at least partially power the motivesource 198.

The generator(s) described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-20 areexemplary implementations of the electromagnetic generating transformer190.

Referring now to FIG. 22, shown therein is an exemplary embodiment of anelectromagnetic generating transformer 210 according to the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein. The electromagnetic generating transformer210 may comprise one or more flux assembly 212, a conductor 214, a shunt216, and a controller 218.

The flux assembly 212 has one or more magnetic field source 220 having apositive pole 222 and a negative pole 224 and a magnetic field passingin a path 226 between the positive pole 222 and the negative pole 224.The flux assembly 212 may be implemented and may function substantiallysimilarly to the flux assembly 192 as described above.

The magnetic field source 220 may be implemented and may functionsimilarly to the magnetic field source 200, for example.

The conductor 214 is magnetically coupled with the one or more magneticfield source 220. The magnetic field source 220 and the conductor 214are fixed relative to one another. The conductor 214 may be implementedand function substantially similarly to the conductor 194, ordifferently therefrom, for example.

The shunt 216 is positioned at least partially or substantiallycompletely in the path 226 of the magnetic field, or is otherwisemagnetically coupled with the magnetic field source 220, and has anadjustable, switchable, or variable magnetic permeability, which isselectively adjustable between a first magnetic permeability and asecond magnetic permeability by the controller 218, for example. Thefirst magnetic permeability and the second magnetic permeability aredifferent from one another, so that the strength of the magnetic fieldpassing between the positive pole 222 and the negative pole 224 varieswhen the magnetic permeability of the shunt 216 is switched. The shunt216 may be stationary relative to the magnetic field source 220, or maybe movable relative to the magnetic field source 220. For example, insome embodiments the shunt 216 may be implemented similarly to the shunt196 and may be movable between a first position and a second position bya motive source, such as the motive source 198, as will be appreciatedby persons of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of theinstant disclosure.

In some exemplary embodiments, the shunt 216 may be in contact with themagnetic field source 220, such as by being in contact with the positivepole 222 and/or the negative pole 224, while in some embodiments, theshunt 216 may be positioned in the path 226 and spaced apart at adistance from the magnetic field source 220.

The controller 218 may be implemented as any suitable device orapparatus configured to influence the magnetic permeability of the shunt216 to adjust or switch the magnetic permeability of the shunt 216 fromthe first permeability to the second permeability so that the strengthof the magnetic field passing between the positive pole 222 and thenegative pole 224 and/or the path 226 varies. In some exemplaryembodiments, the controller 218 may switch the magnetic permeability ofthe shunt 216 by electrical, electromagnetic, thermal, acoustic,mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, or any other means or forces, as willbe readily appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

For example, the controller 218 may switch the magnetic permeability ofthe shunt 216 by raising or lowering the temperature of the shunt 216,applying pressure to the shunt 216, removing pressure from the shunt216, applying electrical current or potential to, or removing electricalcurrent or potential from the shunt 216, applying a magnetic field to,or removing a magnetic field from the shunt 216, applying or removingsound or light energy to the shunt 216, applying or removing mechanicalforces (e.g., compressive, twisting, stretching, or combinationsthereof) to the shunt 216, supplying or removing a chemical or substanceto or from the shunt 216, and any other suitable manner.

In an exemplary embodiment, the shunt 216 may be constructed of or mayinclude a magnetostrictive material, such as cobalt, Terfenol-D, (Terfor terbium, Fe for iron, NOL for Naval Ordnance Laboratory, and D fordysprosium), amorphous magnetic metals or alloys (e.g., the materialsold under the trademark Metglas), or combinations thereof, and thecontroller 218 may apply kinetic or mechanical energy to the shunt 216to take advantage of the inverse magnetostrictive effect (or the Villarieffect) to switch the magnetic permeability of the shunt 216 between thefirst and second permeability. The Matteucci effect (the creation of ahelical anisotropy of the susceptibility of a magnetostrictive materialwhen subjected to a torque) and/or the Wiedemann effect (the twisting ofmagnetostrictive materials when subjected to a helical magnetic field)may also be utilized by the controller 218 to switch the magneticpermeability of the shunt 216 in some exemplary embodiments.

In some exemplary embodiments, the shunt 216 may be constructed of ormay include paramagnetic or superparamagnetic materials, in which casethe controller 218 may apply or remove an external magnetic field to theshunt 216 to switch the magnetic permeability of the shunt 216. In someexemplary embodiment, where the shunt 216 may be constructed of or mayinclude high-temperature or low-temperature superconductor materials,and the controller 218 may raise or lower the temperature of the shunt216 to switch the magnetic permeability of the shunt 216.

The electromagnetic generating transformer 210 may operate as follows.The controller 218 may be operated to change or switch the magneticpermeability of the shunt 216 so that the magnitude of the magneticfield passing between the positive pole 222 and the negative pole 224varies. The controller 218 may switch the magnetic permeability of theshunt 216 at any desired frequency, for example. The varying magneticfield induces an electrical current in the conductor 214, which electriccurrent may be allowed to flow through an external circuit. The electriccurrent may be filtered, amplified, conditioned, transformed to director alternating current, or otherwise processed as will be appreciated bypersons of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instantdisclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, the conductor 214 may beelectrically coupled with the controller 218 such that current from theconductor 214 may be used to at least partially power the controller218.

Referring now to FIG. 23, an electromagnetic generating transformer 230is shown therein. The electromagnetic generating transformer 230 maycomprise one or more flux assembly 232, a conductor 234, a magneticcontrol device 236, and a controller 238.

The one or more flux assembly 232 may have one or more magnetic fieldsource 240 having a positive pole 242 and a negative pole 244 and amagnetic field passing in a path 246 between the positive pole 242 andthe negative pole 244.

The magnetic field source 240 may be constructed of any desired magneticmaterial, such as lanthanide-type materials, permanent magnets,electromagnets, soft magnetic materials, magnetic metals and alloys, andcombinations thereof, for example, provided that at least one of thestrength and/or polarity of the magnetic field of the magnetic fieldsource 240 can be changed by the magnetic control device 236. Forexample, the magnetic field source 240 may include or may be constructedof a magnetostrictive material, such as cobalt, Terfenol-D, (Ter forterbium, Fe for iron, NOL for Naval Ordnance Laboratory, and D fordysprosium), amorphous magnetic metals or alloys (e.g., the materialsold under the trademark Metglas), or combinations thereof, and themagnetic control device 236 may apply kinetic energy to the magneticfield source 240 to change the strength and/or polarity of its magneticfield. In some exemplary embodiments, the magnetic field source 240 maybe constructed of or may include paramagnetic or superparamagneticmaterials, in which case the magnetic control device 236 may apply orremove an external magnetic field to the magnetic field source 240 tochange the strength and/or polarity of its magnetic field. In someexemplary embodiment, where the magnetic field source 240 includes or isconstructed of high-temperature or low-temperature superconductormaterials, the magnetic control device 236 may raise or lower thetemperature of the magnetic field source 240 (e.g., by pulsing a laser248 to shine a laser beam 250 thereon) to change the strength and/orpolarity of its magnetic field.

The conductor 234 is magnetically coupled with the one or more magneticfield source 240, the magnetic field source 240 and the conductor 243being fixed relative to one another. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 23,a first conductor 234 is shown as being positioned in the path 246, anda second conductor 234 is shown as being connected with the magneticfield source 240 so as to be in magnetic communication therewith. It isto be understood that in some exemplary embodiments, only a singleconductor 234 may be implemented, whether such conductor 234 is at leastpartially positioned in the path 246, is physically connected with themagnetic field source 240, or is otherwise magnetically coupled with themagnetic field source 240. Further, in some exemplary embodiments morethan two, or a plurality of conductors 234 may be implemented.

The magnetic control device 236 is operably coupled with the magneticfield source 240 and with the controller 238. The magnetic controldevice 236 can use any suitable medium, such as light, heat, sound, orvibration, to change the strength and/or the polarity of the magneticfield of the magnetic source 240, as described above.

The controller 238 is configured to influence the magnetic controldevice 236 to change at least one of the strength and/or polarity of themagnetic field of the magnetic field source 240 as described above. Insome exemplary embodiments, the controller 238 and the magnetic controldevice 236 may be implemented as a single assembly or component.

The electromagnetic generating transformer 230 may operate as follows.The controller 238 and the magnetic control device 236 may be operatedto change at least one of the polarity and/or strength of the magneticfield of the magnetic field source 240, which change may be carried outintermittently, continuously, or cyclically at any desired frequency.The varying magnetic field of the magnetic field source 240 inducescurrent in the first conductor 234 or the second conductor 234, or aplurality of conductors 234 if implemented, which electric current maybe allowed to flow through an external circuit. The electric current maybe filtered, amplified, conditioned, transformed to direct oralternating current, or otherwise processed as will be appreciated bypersons of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instantdisclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, the first or second conductor234 may be electrically coupled with the controller 238 and/or themagnetic control device 236 such that current from the first or secondconductor 234 may be used to at least partially power the controller 238and/or the magnetic control device 236. As it will be appreciated bypersons of ordinary skill in the art, changes may be made in theconstruction and the operation of the various components, elements andassemblies described herein or in the steps or the sequence of steps ofthe methods described herein without departing from the broad scope ofthe inventive concepts disclosed herein.

From the above description, it is clear that the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein is well adapted to carry out the objects and to attainthe advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in theinventive concepts disclosed herein. While presently preferredembodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein have beendescribed for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood thatnumerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves tothose skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the scope andcoverage of the inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electromagnetic generating transformer,comprising: at least two flux assemblies with a first flux assembly ofthe at least two flux assemblies having one or more first magnetic fieldsource and a first coil magnetically coupled with the first magneticfield source, the first magnetic field source being fixed relative tothe first coil, and with a second flux assembly of the at least two fluxassemblies having one or more second magnetic field source and a secondcoil magnetically coupled with the second magnetic field source, thesecond magnetic field source being fixed relative to the second coil,the first flux assembly and the second flux assembly being magneticallyisolated from one another, and the first magnetic field source and thesecond magnetic field source having a positive pole and a negative poleand a magnetic field passing in a path between the positive pole and thenegative pole; a shunt; and a motive source operably coupled with theshunt and configured to move the shunt through a path into primarypositions a first distance away from the respective first and secondflux assembly and secondary positions a second distance away from therespective first and second flux assembly, wherein a strength of themagnetic field passing between the positive pole and the negative polevaries when the shunt is moved between the primary position and thesecondary position.
 2. The electromagnetic generating transformer ofclaim 1, wherein the shunt is magnetically permeable.
 3. Theelectromagnetic generating transformer of claim 1, wherein the shuntcomprises one or more magnetic field permeable segment alternating withone or more magnetic field impermeable segment.
 4. The electromagneticgenerating transformer of claim 1, wherein the shunt is guided in apredetermined path between the primary position and the secondaryposition.
 5. An electromagnetic generating transformer, comprising: oneor more flux assembly having one or more magnetic field source having apositive pole and a negative pole and a magnetic field passing in a pathbetween the positive pole and the negative pole; a conductormagnetically coupled with the one or more magnetic field source, themagnetic field source and the conductor being fixed relative to oneanother; a shunt at least partially positioned in the path between thepositive pole and the negative pole, and having a first magneticpermeability and a second magnetic permeability; and a controlleroperably coupled with the shunt and influencing the shunt's magneticpermeability to switch the magnetic permeability of the shunt from thefirst magnetic permeability to the second magnetic permeability.
 6. Theelectromagnetic generating transformer of claim 5, wherein the shunt issubstantially stationary relative to the one or more magnetic fieldsource.
 7. The electromagnetic generating transformer of claim 5,wherein the shunt is on a drum assembly rotatable with respect to theone or more magnetic field source.
 8. An electromagnetic generatingtransformer, comprising: one or more flux assembly having one or moremagnetic field source having a positive pole and a negative pole and amagnetic field passing in a path between the positive pole and thenegative pole; a conductor magnetically coupled with the one or moremagnetic field source, the magnetic field source and the conductor beingfixed relative to one another; a magnetic control device operablycoupled with the magnetic field source; and a controller operablycoupled with the magnetic control device and configured to cause themagnetic control device to change at least one of a strength and apolarity of the magnetic field of the one or more magnetic field source.9. The electromagnetic generating transformer of claim 8, wherein theconductor is at least partially positioned in the path between thepositive pole and the negative pole.
 10. The electromagnetic generatingtransformer of claim 8, further comprising a second conductormagnetically coupled with the one or more magnetic field source.
 11. Theelectromagnetic generating transformer of claim 8, wherein the one ormore magnetic field source includes a magnetostrictive material, andwherein the magnetic control device is configured to apply mechanicalforce to the one or more magnetic field source.
 12. The electromagneticgenerating transformer of claim 8, wherein the one or more magneticfield source includes a superconductor material, and wherein themagnetic control device is configured to apply thermal energy to the oneor more magnetic field source.
 13. The electromagnetic transformer ofclaim 12, wherein the thermal energy includes an optical signal.
 14. Theelectromagnetic generating transformer of claim 1, wherein the firstflux assembly and the second flux assembly are mounted on a base plateconstructed of a material selected from the group consisting ofnon-conductive materials, non-ferrous materials, and combinationsthereof.
 15. The electromagnetic generating transformer of claim 5,wherein the one or more flux assembly is mounted on a base plateconstructed of a material selected from the group consisting ofnon-conductive materials, non-ferrous materials, and combinationsthereof.
 16. The electromagnetic generating transformer of claim 8,wherein the one or more flux assembly is mounted on a base plateconstructed of a material selected from the group consisting ofnon-conductive materials, non-ferrous materials, and combinationsthereof.
 17. An electromagnetic generating transformer, comprising: atleast two flux assemblies with a first flux assembly of the at least twoflux assemblies having one or more first magnetic field source and afirst coil magnetically coupled with the first magnetic field source,the first magnetic field source being fixed relative to the first coil,and with a second flux assembly of the at least two flux assemblieshaving one or more second magnetic field source and a second coilmagnetically coupled with the second magnetic field source, and thefirst magnetic field source and the second magnetic field source havinga positive pole and a negative pole and a magnetic field passing in apath between the positive pole and the negative pole; a drum assemblycomprising a first shunt and a second shunt aligned with the positivepole and the negative pole of the at least two flux assemblies; amagnetic field impermeable zone interleaved with the first shunt and thesecond shunt wherein rotation of the drum assembly alternately positionsthe first shunt, the magnetic field impermeable zone and the secondshunt into primary positions a first distance away from the respectivefirst and second flux assembly and secondary positions a second distanceaway from the respective first and second flux assembly, wherein astrength of the magnetic field passing between the positive pole and thenegative pole varies when the shunt is moved between the primaryposition and the secondary position; and wherein the first and secondshunts and the first and second flux assembly are arranged such thatonly one of the first and second shunts is in the primary position at aninstant in time.